Academic concerns of your student and new diagnosis
As we get into term 2 and subject interviews have concluded, we wish to remind families of the process for addressing academic concerns for your student.
If you have concerns about your student’s learning, please reach out to their Teacher Advisor. The Teacher Advisor can assist with in-class strategies and, if needed, students will be referred to the Student Growth and Engagement Team. This may lead to diagnostic screening and tailored interventions being implemented. Where appropriate, referrals to Catholic Education Ballarat may be made for further support.
The Student Growth and Engagement team also recommend ensuring that your student’s vision and hearing is not impeding their ability to learn. If these haven’t been tested in the last 12 months, we would encourage you to do so. There are several optometrists in Ballarat who Bulk Bill, and a referral from your GP can reduce the cost of a hearing test with an audiologist. These reports are required before any further assessments by our team.
If your child has received a new diagnosis throughout Term 1 or over the Easter break, please contact the relevant Coordinator promptly to establish a Personal Learning Plan (PLP) for your student. Early communication ensures we can provide proactive and effective support. The College is currently actively addressing social-emotional concerns, such as anxiety.
For students already supported under the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD), resources will continue to be allocated under the NCCD. Damascus College will continue to make reasonable adjustments, where needed, to assist students with a disability in accessing and participating in education free from discrimination and on the same basis as other students in line with the Disability Discrimination Act 1992. For more information, please refer to the attached NCCD information sheet for Parents, Carers and Guardians.
The Student Growth and Engagement team looks forward to working with you, your student, their teachers and Learning Support Officers (LSOs) to ensure the appropriate supports are in place for their learning and wellbeing.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the relevant Student Growth and Engagement Coordinator.
2025 NCCD Parent Information Sheet Term2